Adjustable equalizer fulcrum arrangement



Jan. 21, 1941. k J HARLEY 2,229,624

ADJUSTABLE EQUALIZER FULCRUM ARRANGEMENT Filed April 22, 1938 2Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR EDWARD U. HHBLEY Jan. 21, 1941. E1 A L Y2,229,624

ADJUSTABLE EQUALIZER FULCRUM ARRANGEMENT Filed April 22, 1938 2Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR Emx/man d. HHELEY Patented Jan. 21, 1941- PATENTOFFICE ADJUSTABLE EQUALIZER FULCRUM ARRANGEMENT Edward J. Harley,Philadelphia, Pa. Application April 22, 1938, Serial No. 203,591

8 Claims.

This invention relates generally to spring rigging equalizing systemsfor locomotives and particularly to an improved adjustable fulcrum forequalizing beams applicable to two or four wheel leading or trailinglocomotive trucks or other parts of the main equalizing spring riggingsystem.

A great many arrangements have heretofore been suggested or used toprovide an adjustable fulcrum between an equalizing beam and thelocomotive or truck frames in order to properly distribute the load onthe truck or locomotive Wheels. One customary arrangement employsseveral longitudinal spaced sets of holes, the fulcrum pin beinginserted in thesets of holes which produce, or comes the nearest toproducing, the desired weight distribution. The number of possibleadjustments in such an arrangement is limited to the few number of holesusually three. Inasmuch as only one hole would be ultimately used, it isseen that unnecessary cost is involved in initially providing the extraholes as well as providing only a limited number of possible ad- 25justments. Many other prior arrangements have employed fulcrum blockswith a plurality of holes or a single hole is eccentrically located in amulti-side block that is bodily removable and insertable in differentangular positions. These arrangements have the same above objection ofproviding a very limited number of possible adjustments. Anotherobjection to these'prior arrangements is that the adjustment from oneposition to another cannot be made with maximum ease and dispatch.

It is an object of my invention to provide an improved equalizing beamfulcrum arrangement that is adjustable for an infinite number ofpositions thereby permitting a very effective and 40 highly satisfactorydistribution of weight.

A further object is to provide an improved adjustable equalizing beamfulcrum that can be conveniently and effectively adjusted with minimumtime and efiort as well as minimum initial cost.

Another object is to provide an improved adjustable fulcrum forequalizing beams that is relatively simple and compact and yet has ahigh degree of sturdiness and durability.

Other objects and advantages will be more apparent to those skilled inthe art from the following description of the accompanying drawings inwhich:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary side elevation of a locomotive embodying myimproved adjustable beam fulcrum in connection with a trailing truck;

6-6 of Fig. 4; 15

Fig. 7 is a perspective of one portion of an equalizing beam with thefulcrum seat shown thereon;

Fig. 8 is a perspective of a combined fulcrum 2 block and pin. 0

In the particular embodiments of the invention, such as are disclosedherein merely for the purpose of illustrating certain specific formsamong possible others that the invention might take in practice, I haveshown a conventional 25 spring rigging system having main locomotivedriving springs I and truck springs 2 of a four wheel trailing truck.The springs are connected to the truck frame 3 and main locomotive frame'4 through usual equalizing beams, all of which 30 are generallynumbered 5 and the springs in turn are supported on truck wheels 6 anddriving wheels 7. For the purpose of illustrating my improved fulcrumonly the truck frame need be 35 described although various other typesof frames could be obviously used. The term frame as herein used inreference to a locomotive refers to either a locomotive or truck frame.

Each side of the frame has a pair of longitudinally extending pieces 8and 9 provided with longitudinal openings I0 and H in transversealignment with each other. The frame is supported on the equalizingbeams through a usual fulcrum pin I2 the opposite ends of which arejournalled in fulcrum blocks I3 and i4 identical to each other andbodily shiftable in a longitudinal rectilinear position. Each block hasa substantially rectangular portion with upper and lower parallelsurfaces l5 fitting within their respective 50 longitudinal frameopenings l0 and II and snugly slidably engaging the walls thereof. Therectangular portions of these blocks terminate flush with the innervertical surfaces of the frame sides 8 and 9 and project laterallybeyond the 5 outer surfaces thereof. An extension Iii pro:- jectsdownwardly from the lateral portion of the blocks for overlapping andengaging the outer surfaces I! of the frame 8 and 9. The equalizing beam5 has an elongated horizontal slot I8 snugly receiving a longitudinallyslidable rectangular fulcrum block l9. All of the fulcrum blocks have asingle cylindrical opening for fulcrum pin l2.

In operation, the equalizing system of the locomotive is completelyassembled with the shiftable blocks l3, l4 and 19 approximatelylongitudinally positioned in their respective elongated openings. Theseblocks may if desired be temporarily tacked in place by welding betweenthe blocks and frame at corners such as 20 and 2| of the frame blocksand at the corners of the equalizing beam and beam blocks If) asindicated at 22. After the locomotive is completely assembled andweighed, if it is then necessary to shift the fulcrum pin of any of theequalizing beams to adjust the distribution of load on the wheels, thetemporary tacking can be easily cut away to allow the shiftable blocksto be moved in either direction and to any desired extent lengthwise ofthe slots I0, I l and Hi. When the proper positions of the fulcrums areobtained, the fulcrum blocks 13, I and [9 are then suitably permanentlysecured in position preferably by completely welding at the variouspoints of juncture previously indicated for temporary tacking. Even thispermanent welding can be readily removed at any future time in the eventthat subsequent operation of, or alterations or additions to, thelocomotive should require further shifting of any fulcrum. In any case,however, it is seen that the position of the fulcrum can be determinedand obtained not only with maximum ease and minimum expense but alsowith great accuracy. It is never necessary to bodily remove or replaceany of the pins or blocks to effect an adjustment all of the partssimply remaining in their normal operative relation regardless of theinfinite number of adjustable positions that are available. Such anarrangement is conducive to maximum flexibility of production andcomplete satisfaction to a railroad as to the weight distributiondesired by it. It will also be apparent that instead of using temporarytacking, the fulcrum blocks may be placed in position and left untacked,there being sufficient supporting contact between the various parts. Inthis case, after the locomotive is weighed the fulcrum blocks may beshifted as necessary and then permanently secured to the locomotive ortruck frames and to the equalizing beams as previously mentioned.

From the foregoing disclosure it is seen that my improved arrangementallows an infinite number of positional adjustments of the fulcrums witha structure of great simplicity and sturdiness, it being noted that thelongitudinal bodily shifting of the fulcrum blocks permits the elongatedopenings to have a minimum vertical height and therefore it is onlynecessary to remove a minimum amount of material from the equalizingbeam or from the frame and consequently maximum strength is maintainedwithout sacrificing the incremental adjustments while at the same timepermitting the very maximum range of adjustment to be made.

In the modification of Figs. 4 to 8, the frame is provided withtransversely aligned elongated openings 25 located substantially abovethe level of the upper edge of an equalizing beam 26. A

fulcrum seat block 21 is placed on the upper edge of the equalizing beamwhile a combined fulcrum pin and block generally indicated at 28 isassociated with the frame. As shown in Figs. 4, 5 and 8, this combinedblock comprises inner and outer vertical portions 29 and 30 connected bya transverse upper portion 3| and a semicylindrical element 32 which isherein referred to as a fulcrum pin. Projecting downwardly from theouter portion 3!] is an extension 33 corresponding to the extension I 5of the preferred form. This combined block is inserted within theopenings 25 formed in each of the frame Walls 35 and 36 with the upperand lower horizontal surfaces of the vertical portions 29 and 30 snuglyand longitudinally slidably fitting the parallel walls of openings 25while the extension 33 rests against the outer surface of the frame side35, Fig. 5. The fulcrum pin 32 is seated in block 21 to support theweight of the locomotive on the equalizing beam. To prevent thesemi-cylindrical pin and seat from completely separating at any time, astud 38 is fastened in the frame beneath the equalizing beam.

In this modification, the equalizing system is assembled and theshiftable fulcrum blocks temporarily tacked in their approximateposition or loosely left therein, but in either case after thelocomotive is weighed the blocks 21 and 28 may be longitudinally shiftedto adjust the position of a fulcrum. The block 21 is secured to theequalizing beam 26 as by welding at 39 While the frame block 28 iswelded to the frame as at 4!]. This arrangement has all the advantagesof the preferred form. If a very small adjustment is necessary in eitherform, the blocks associated with the equalizing beams may be shiftedthereon without disturbing the frame blocks but for most adjustments itis desirable to shift both sets of blocks to maintain the normalvertical position of the spring hanger links.

t will of course be understood that various changes in details ofconstruction and arrangement of parts be made by those skilled in theart without departing from the spirit of the invention as set forth inthe appended claims.

I claim:

1. The combination in a locomotive comprising, a frame havingtransversely opposed spaced walls with longitudinally elongated buttransversely aligned openings therein, a spring rigging system having anequalizing beam disposed between said spaced walls, a fulcrum pin forsupporting said frame on said beam, pin supporting means disposed withinsaid openings and being longitudinally incrementally bodily shiftabletherein in a rectilinear direction for adjusting the positon of thefulcrum pin relative to said frame, and means for permanently andimmovably securing said pin supporting means in any incremental positionto which it is bodily longitudinally adjusted.

2. The combination in a locomotive comprising, a frame having opposedspaced walls with longitudinally extending but transversely alignedopenings therein, a spring rigging system having an equalizing beamdisposed between said walls, a fulcrum pin, fulcrum blocks associatedwith said equalizing beam and frame walls for connecting the beam andframe together by said pin, said fulcrum blocks being incrementallybodily shiftable in a longitudinal rectilinear direction in saidopenings relative to said beam and frameto adjust the position of thefulcrum pin, and means for securing said blocks in their incrementallyadjusted position.

3. The combination in a locomotive comprising, a frame having opposedspaced walls, a spring rigging system having an equalizing beam disposedbetween said walls, said opposed walls having longitudinal openings intransverse alignment with each other, fulcrum block means disposed ineach of said aligned openings so as to be incrementally longitudinallybodily shiftable thereof in a rectilinear direction Within saidopenings, a fulcrum pin associated with said block means, andlongitudinally adjustable means associated with said beam for supportingthe intermediate portion of said pin by said beam.

4. The combination in a locomotive comprising, a frame having opposedspaced walls, a spring rigging system including an equalizing beamdisposed between said walls, said frame and beam having transverselyaligned longitudinally elongated openings, fulcrum blocks disposedrespectively in said openings so as to be longitudinally bodilyshiftable therein in a rectilinear direction, a fulcrum pin journalledin said blocks, and means for holding said blocks in position withinsaid openings,

5. The combination in a locomotive comprising, a frame and a springrigging system having an equalizing beam, said frame having opposedvertical sides between which said equalizing beam is disposed, saidframe sides and beam having transversely aligned longitudinallyelongated openings, fulcrum blocks disposed within the openings of saidframe sides and having an extension overlapping the frame sides, afulcrum block disposed within the opening in said equalizing beam, afulcrum pin journalled in all of said blocks, said openings beingarranged to allow said blocks to be bodily longitudinally shiftedtherein in a rectilinear direction to effect any desired extent ofadjustment of the fulcrum pin, and means for securing said blocks totheir respective frame and beam elements.

6. The combination set forth in claim fur ther characterized in thatsaid securing means engages said fulcrum block extensions and frame.

'7. The combination in a locomotive comprising, a frame and a springrigging system having an equalizing beam, said frame having opposedvertical sides between which said equalizing beam is disposed, saidframe sides and beam having transversely aligned longitudinallyelongated openings, fulcrum blocks disposed within the openings of saidframe sides and having an extension overlapping the frame sides, afulcrum block disposed within the opening in said equalizing beam, afulcrum pin journalled in all of said blocks, said openings beingarranged to allow said blocks to be bodily longitudinally shiftedtherein to effect any desired extent of adjustment of the fulcrum pin,means/for securing said blocks to their respective frame and beamelements, said securing means including a welded seam between saidfulcrum block extensions and frame sides, and welded seams between saidequalizing beam and its fulcrum block.

8. The combination in a locomotive comprising, a frame and a springrigging system having an equalizing beam, said frame having opposedvertical sides between which said equalizing beam is disposed, saidframe sides and beam having transversely aligned longitudinallyelongated openings, fulcrum blocks disposed within the openings of saidframe sides and having an extension overlapping the frame sides, afulcrum block disposed within the opening in said equalizing beam, afulcrum pin journalled in all of said blocks, said openings beingarranged to allow said blocks to be bodily longitudinally shiftedtherein to effect any desired extent of adjustment of the fulcrum pin,and means for securing said blocks to their respective frame and beamelements, said securing means including welded seams between said frameand equalizing beam and their respective fulcrum blocks thereby allowingsaid blocks to be secured in any position to which they areincrementally adjusted, said openings providing lateral access to saidseams whereby said beams and frame may be permanently connected togetherafter completion of the assembly and weight distribution of thelocomotive.

EDWARD J. HARLEY.

